Tradition Abounds as Orthodox Christians Mark Christmas in Balkans

Orthodox Christians in Serbia and Macedonia marked their Christmas Eve on January 6 in traditional style by lighting bonfires and gathering oak branches, while Christians in Bulgaria braved icy waters in search of a cross as part of celebrations for Epiphany day.

Anadolu; BetaBalkans

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Powered by Cincopa Business Video solution.Christmas EveChristians in the central Bulgarian town of Kalofer sang and danced with the national flag in the icy water of the Tundzha river as they celebrated Epiphany day on January 6. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1021Christians in the central Bulgarian town of Kalofer sang and danced with the national flag in the icy water of the Tundzha river as they celebrated Epiphany day on January 6. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1067People gather by a bonfire in Skopje, Macedonia, on January 5, the night before Orthodox Christmas Eve. Photo: Beta/AP/Boris Grdanoskioriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 568height 800Fireworks are set off during traditional bonfire gathering in Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, on January 5, the night before Orthodox Christmas Eve. Macedonia’s Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar. Photo: Beta/AP/Boris Grdanoskioriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 592height 800Christians in the central Bulgarian town of Kalofer sang and danced with the national flag in the icy water of the Tundzha river as they celebrated Epiphany day on January 6. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1067Christmas celebrations in Serbia begin on the Orthodox Christmas Eve on January 6, when tradition dictates that an oak branch should be taken inside and burned. The Serbian Presidency building doesn’t miss out on the custom either, with a branch seen here being taken inside. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1198Christmas celebrations in Serbia begin on the Orthodox Christmas Eve on January 6, when tradition dictates that an oak branch should be taken inside and burned. The Serbian Presidency building doesn’t miss out on the custom either, with a branch seen here being taken inside. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1046Christmas celebrations in Serbia begin on the Orthodox Christmas Eve on January 6, when tradition dictates that an oak branch should be taken inside and burned. The Serbian Presidency building doesn’t miss out on the custom either, with a branch seen here being taken inside. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1086Christmas celebrations in Serbia begin on the Orthodox Christmas Eve on January 6, when tradition dictates that an oak branch should be taken inside and burned. The Serbian Presidency building doesn’t miss out on the custom either, with a branch seen here being taken inside. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1135People gather by a bonfire in Skopje, Macedonia, on January 5, the night before Orthodox Christmas Eve. Photo: Beta/AP/Boris Grdanoskioriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1026On Orthodox Christmas Eve on January 6, Zorica and Danijela Lazic from the village of Banja Josanica in the Sokobanje municipality in eastern Serbia set out a traditional vegetarian meal, with ceremonial bread being given central place on the table. Photo: Betaoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1600height 1010